Грозовий перевал
Chapter 3
Thefingersrelaxed,Isnatchedminethroughthehole,hurriedlypiledthebooksupinapyramidagainstit,andstoppedmyearstoexcludethelamentableprayer.Iseemedtokeepthemclosedaboveaquarterofanhour;yet,theinstantIlistenedagain,therewasthedolefulcrymoaningon!"Begone!"Ishouted,"I’llneverletyouin,notifyoubegfortwentyyears.""Itistwentyyears,"mournedthevoice:"twentyyears.I’vebeenawaiffortwentyyears!"Thereatbeganafeeblescratchingoutside,andthepileofbooksmovedasifthrustforward.Itriedtojumpup;butcouldnotstiralimb;andsoyelledaloud,inafrenzyoffright.Tomyconfusion,Idiscoveredtheyellwasnotideal:hastyfootstepsapproachedmychamberdoor;somebodypusheditopen,withavigoroushand,andalightglimmeredthroughthesquaresatthetopofthebed.Isatshudderingyet,andwipingtheperspirationfrommyforehead:theintruderappearedtohesitate,andmutteredtohimself.Atlast,hesaidinahalf-whisper,plainlynotexpectingananswer,"Isanyonehere?"Iconsidereditbesttoconfessmypresence;forIknewHeathcliff’saccents,andfearedhemightsearchfurther,ifIkeptquiet.Withthisintention,Iturnedandopenedthepanels.Ishallnotsoonforgettheeffectmyactionproduced.
Heathcliffstoodneartheentranceinhisshirtandtrousers:withacandledrippingoverhisfingers,andhisfaceaswhiteasthewallbehindhim.Thefirstcreakoftheoakstartledhimlikeanelectricshock!thelightleapedfromhisholdtoadistanceofsomefeet,andhisagitationwassoextreme,thathecouldhardlypickitup.
"Itisonlyyourguest,sir,"Icalledout,desiroustosparehimthehumiliationofexposinghiscowardicefurther."Ihadthemisfortunetoscreaminmysleep,owingtoafrightfulnightmare.I’msorryIdisturbedyou."
